Fired!
December 30th, 2013
Rockstar general manager Mark Dominik and head coach Greg Schiano have been fired.
Team Glazer has seen enough!
“The results over the past two years have not lived up to our standards and we believe the time has come to find a new direction. Mark has been a valued member of our organization for two decades and we respect the passion he showed for the Buccaneers during his time here. We thank Greg for his hard work and effort the past two seasons, but we feel these moves are necessary in order to achieve our goals,” said Buccaneers Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer.
Stick with Joe all through the day for all the regime-change news.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:24 pm
Had to get in one last ‘Rockstar,’ huh?
December 30th, 2013 at 1:24 pm
It really sucks having to start all over again with a new coach, as much as that sucks I believe coach Schiano wasn’t gonna cut it in the NFL as head coach… Not now anyways, maybe he pulls a Belichek or Carroll and learns how later.
Good luck to you coach , no doubt you put everything you had into improving my team and that’s all this Bucs fan can really ask for.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:24 pm
Lol
December 30th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
Must be difficult for the Glazers….somehow, I don’t think they wanted to do this….but now that they are at it….they can just publicly admit they were wrong with Jon Gruden and rehire him.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:26 pm
peace
December 30th, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Glazers had no choice. Who is going to buy tickets to see the NSO getting out couched in the second half again and again.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:26 pm
I’m laughing with you……no, really.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:26 pm
I CAN BREATHE AGAIN !!
December 30th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
No idea who the GM candidates even are. I’ve got a few ideas for good coaches (as though that matters) but who’s going to take Mark’s job?
December 30th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
If the Bucs are gonna go retread, please be Gruden and not Lovie. Gruden got a raw deal and we all acknowledge that now. Beg him to come back, give him the chance with a real QB and lets hope he can take an almost there talent wise team to the next level again.
But please say no to Lovie. Or any defensive coach. Our offense is a disgrace and needs to be addressed. Going with Lovie would be a sideways move or even a step back.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
First step is to get a top notch GM (Holmgren) and allow that person to have input on coach. Bucs need to make a splash if they have any hopes of filling the stadium on Dale Mabry next year.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
This is yet another sad day in Tampa…back to the proverbial drawing board once again.
It is sure going to be interesting to see who gets hired.
I hope the Glazers look forward and not backwards, as has been rumored…NO to Rich McKay and NO to Lovie Smith.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
If he’s a “ROCKSTAR,” he must be David Lee Roth because he is FIRED!!
December 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
I hope they have a plan this time. Something that includes bringing in people with successful NFL experience to run the football side of the business.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Charlie Strong.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
I like Schiano as a person and felt like he was doomed in the eyes of the media immediately following “kneeldowngate”. That situation made it too easy to see Schiano as the bad guy during the MRSA and Josh Freeman saga. Ultimately, I just want this team to win! I would hope that given the firepower we have on offense with Martin, Jackson, Williams, and now Tim Wright that Tampa would be an attractive looking opportunity. Looking forward to all your coaching candidate speculation, Joe!
December 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Can we please bring in an offensive-minded HC with some dynamic ideas?
Enough of this conservative / defense-first stuff. The modern NFL is dominated by passing. Hiring another coach who stubbornly believes you can defend in this flag-happy league is a mistake.
Get someone who scores points.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Oh , and maybe we can hire a new staff a little quicker this time around… Swartz as a DC would upset me
December 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Glad the Bucs finally ridded themselves of that nasty Staff Infection
December 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Thank you Team Glazer! Please hire a solid GM and let him choose his coach.
Happy New Year!
December 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
I’m also wondering if the monster game yesterday by Blount had anything to do with it. Aqib Talib also made the Pro Bowl. Those moves couldn’t have helped their cases
December 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Holy crap. Hopefully a new coach will keep Smith and Byner as they were our only bright spots.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Another two years of losing, while a new coaching staff tries to get the players they want and re-teach the players they keep.
At least a Buc fan has consistency.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Dominik couldn’t get a full roster together with depth. Schiano and Dominik was a package firing. Dominik was a good scout of talent but crappy GM, tried to money ball too much with a few splashes here and there. Got into the develop your own talent game one year too late.
Schiano, wish him well, but his way was too restrictive. Like what he did for the defense, but his input on offense was just horrendous.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
We have a reason to feel excited about the draft/off season. Thank you Glazers for giving your frustrated fans a glimmer of hope.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
The Glazer family also needs to NOT sit on their hands this time around and be AGGRESSIVE in the coaching search. We may get the HC we want but we don’t want to miss out on coordinators again!
December 30th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Dominik shouldn’t have been fired
December 30th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
It’s about time. Really surprised we made it this long. Now let’s get a coach with nfl experience.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
I will be the new GMs advisor as I still have my job.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Pioli and O’Brien – package deal
December 30th, 2013 at 1:31 pm
@ Jbeachbuc – as a Bucs fan, I’m wishing for a coach that can actually improve my team…there are no consolation prizes for trying (except for the millions he got paid to do nothing). We can certainly ask for a lot more than we got with this clown.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:31 pm
We need to hire a president of football operations first. Dungy, Brooks, or anyone else in the NFL with the right pedigree. I don’t trust the Glazers to hire the right team anymore, and don’t believe the best candidates out there trust the Glazers either.
The buck needs to stop with someone else when it comes to football in this organization.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:31 pm
As much as I would LOVE to see Jon Gruden return to the Bucs, let’s not turn rewrite history. The Glazers fired Gruden not only because of the losing streak that resulted in missing the postseason, but because there was a severe lack of talent being grown by the team and no viable future QB prospect was ever really on the team during the Gruden era, aside from Chris Simms. When the roster purge took place, almost every aging veteran player released either retired or failed to find a new team. A change was needed, but between Freeman flaking out and the team pulling a Miami Dolphins and falling apart every December, the majority of the moves made post Gruden were not acceptable.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:31 pm
I will be fine with Gruden, Cower, Lovie Smith, no college coaches please! In my oppinion our best chances are with Cower just pay the man!!
December 30th, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Joe, I liked how you put that rockstar nickname out there once more. As for finding a new head coach and GM, it’s not good that at least 4 other teams are going to be looking for replacements.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:32 pm
They have a better chance at getting Jay Gruden then Jon Gruden. I wouldn’t be totally against it.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
I would be happy with either Grudens
December 30th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
@Tampabaybucfan
The Glazers werent wrong about Gruden at all. He couldnt build a consistent winner.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Sad… gone are the 0-8 starts and no half time adjustments. Missed will be the victory formation. What will become of my beloved team now that change is in the air?
December 30th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
Anyone offering sympathy to either of these guys are crazy. Bottom line is record! Our record has been terrible for 5 years under Dominik and ALL the coaches hired under his watch. Our Depth at all positions is TERRIBLE.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
here’s to hoping Schiano is able to land the Penn State job and does well there. Guy’s a good coach and a good guy. Just not made for the NFL level. Hopefully he lands on his feet though
December 30th, 2013 at 1:35 pm
Cali Buc Fan Says:
December 30th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Holy crap. Hopefully a new coach will keep Smith and Byner as they were our only bright spots.
———————————-
THIS!!!!
As much as as i wanted Schiano gone, that is my only fear…losing Byner. But, chances are, he goes too, unfortunately.
Thats how I felt about Millard during the Rah era.
My head coach choices would be Greg Roman, Jay Gruden or Chudz.
no more defensive head coaches, please. for the sake of (insert future QB name here).
though, i have no input on who could be the GM.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:35 pm
Not going to matter who the new GM is if Hickey is still in the building! Polian might be an ass-hat but he knows how to build a team. Please someone with some success at the NFL level for HC and NO MORE RUTGERS EVER!
December 30th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Bad move on the owners, this shows they have no idea how to run a football team. oh well, alot of fans are happy this morning just like they were when we got rid of Dungy,Gruden, and Raheem. Another losing season coming for sure next year
December 30th, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Joe, nice one on the last rock star reference. Is there something wrong with the site? I have two different computers doing the same thing on your site. I’m on my iPhone right now. Just curious if anyone else is having issues.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
The long nightmare is over. Thank you Glazers.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:39 pm
Anything’s possible now. Maybe we get Talib and Blount back in FA. Obviously, I’ve already started to celebrate early! lol
December 30th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
I don’t doubt the work ethic. I am certain Schiano worked his tail off. But, as the great Bobby Fischer once said “Hard work is involved, but I have played lots of players who work very hard that just aren’t any good.”
December 30th, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Dig-Dong the witch is dead !!!!
Welcome to Tampa, Jay Gruden and Bill Polian !!!!
December 30th, 2013 at 1:44 pm
@buc’dup
can you tell me their record next year so I can put lots of $$$ on it.. lol what a misguided statement, the Bucs will probably have 15-20 new players next year maybe 5-8 new starters so you have no idea what’s going to happen.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
Derrick Brooks for Head Coach Sapp as GM
December 30th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Well, I actually liked Greg Schiano, but I won’t shed any tears over him. I said a week ago that if it meant we would pick a QB in round one then fire him.
I suspect we will spend the first round pick on a QB now too.
But I also think there will be other ramifications you guys are not seeing as well. Namely, the departure of certain players.
A new GM will want to clear up as much cap room as possible. The first casualty will likely be Revis, since it will clear $15 million and the Bucs will not be on the hook for anything in later years.
Goldson will likely be gone as well. A new coach won’t likely put up with his refusal to obey the rules.
JOE, I would be interested to know the cap numbers for our top paid guys and how cutting them would affect the cap.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
I can’t fathom “fans” celebrating people losing their jobs and a franchise having to start over…AGAIN. Make mistake about…this is truly starting over…new GM, new philosophy, new HC and other coaches, more new philosophy…and of course new players.
I am excited about change, but nervous as well…the Glazers haven’t really shown that they can make good hires.
But, oh well, the inmates (fans) are running the asylum and they are happy…now how many of them are actually going to put their money where their mouth is and buy tickets remains to be seen…talk is cheap…it takes money to buy whiskey.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Among better candidates than Domenik for GM:
1. Bruce Allen
2. Al Davis’ corpse
3. A ham sandwich
4. My cousin that went 12-4 with Buffalo on ‘Super Tecmo Bowl’ once
5. Isiah Thomas
6. Steve Duemig- “1st matter, Rich Biciccia head coach, Mike Alstott OC!”
December 30th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
We may well end up with Mike Sherman.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:59 pm
Rob Chudzinski got a rare deal. For what he had and where he was. Because they just refuse to win in Cleveland. He did a good job.
Jay Gruden have done a great job for Cincy.
Lovie Smith
Greg Roman
David Shaw
Bill O’Brien
December 30th, 2013 at 1:59 pm
Ding Dong the rockstar is gone! The rockstars gone! the rockstars gone! Ding dong the rock stars finally gone!
December 30th, 2013 at 2:02 pm
@ Reality
Gotcha…No doubt all Bucs fan would WISH for the same as you stated…. But for me as much as I may wish for the next HC to take our Bucs to great heights, I can only ask him to give it everything he has.
I got a great idea.. Hire Jay Gruden as HC and he could bring his brother back on his staff. Ha!
December 30th, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Agreed! Their record was certainly not up to the standards of the fans either.
December 30th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
I have to say that I’m disappointed that they fired Dominik. He’ll be GM for another team in a hurry.
As for Schiano? Good riddance.
December 30th, 2013 at 2:08 pm
I’m on board with the Lovie train and on NFL Total Access apparantly TB is Lovie’s first choice.
December 30th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Problem is that new coach will want a new QB. The only QB worth taking in the draft is Bridgewater and he will be long gone before we get him
December 30th, 2013 at 2:54 pm
LOL, a Rockstar GM that presided over a 28-52 record and never made the playoffs! Just like Freeman was allegedly a Franchise QB. Rockstar was unquestionably the root of all the losing. While he may have hit on a few draft picks and overpaid a few free agents, this team has had very little depth over the past 5 seasons and his choices for coaches were an abomination.
Joe suspects you are one of those folks that believes Dominik was free to spend money on free agents in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Dominik can’t be clobbered for having his hands tied in those seasons. –Joe
December 30th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Teddy, nobody else will let Domenik manage a kiosk in the mall, much less another NFL team.
He drafted Lavonte David and….what else? (dont say Sabby Barronelli’s name)
December 30th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
@Joe. Maybe if he could have drafted better those three years maybe the lack of free agent money wouldnt have been so obvious. But the glaziers denied himhis only ability which is to throw money at the biggest names.
Also what about Haynesworth ? He had ok to do that?
There was still a salary-cap floor in 2009. Haynesworth 2011 was a desperation fill-in. … The team was 10-6 and very young after 2010 and didn’t load up on free agents. Essentially nobody. If you think Dominik didn’t want to, then you’re not paying attention. Joe’s not defending Dominik’s ultimate record, just clarifying for those who think Joe is blowing with the wind. Joe still doesn’t think Dominik was a lousy GM. But it’s irrelevant now. –Joe
December 30th, 2013 at 3:29 pm
Joe doesn’t come to your house to insult you. No need to do it here. –Joe
December 30th, 2013 at 3:30 pm
@Joe. So Dom was allowed to throw $100 mill at one guy but cant spend it on anyone else when he says no?
The $100 million was not guaranteed money, which is all that matters in the NFL. Look, Joe’s not playing history or Dominik defending today. The Bucs needed to reach the cap floor in 2009, when Haynesworth allegedly was in play. –Joe
December 30th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
@Joe we will have to disagree on Dominick. And if you are of the opinion that he was simply decent then I ask what’s the point of just settling with decent?
Joe never said to settle for decent. If the Glazers have a better GM, then by all means, bring him in. –Joe
December 30th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Every bad signing/draft pick was the Glazer’s /Schiano/ Raheims fault. The teams record was all the coaches fault. Etc, etc. The only thing Marques Domenique did well was pass the buck, and make mediocre kickers and punters rich.
December 30th, 2013 at 3:46 pm
@patrickbuc
Thanks for explaining that to me, My BAD!! of course it was a misguided statment, of course I really don’t know what is going to happen next year.lol!
But my opinion I have no faith in this ownership anymore and I do expect a losing record next year based on the past decade. I hope im wrong!
December 30th, 2013 at 3:51 pm
The Glazers already have someone in place, they never make a knee jerk reaction (and that’s why they make so many mistakes).
December 30th, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Now we need to strike fast and assemble a strong staff that can gel for the draft.
Make some cuts/restructure contracts and get ready to get some FA talent.
December 30th, 2013 at 4:21 pm
@buc’dup
No worries:)
You did not make that point about the Glazers though which I do agree. I hope they hire a President or hire someone to at least consult with both the GM and coaching search. I am nervous about the Glazers making the correct decisions for sure.
December 30th, 2013 at 4:27 pm
After watching every game of this dismal season, watching it all unfold to 4-12, which is unacceptable, I absolutely agree with the Glazers’ decision. Who becomes the new GM will be key, but somehow I think Lovie Smith is the HC they will relentlessly pursue; however, the Glazers know how to surprise everyone. The Glazers have to hire the right combo this time–NFL-caliber guys who are ready to win now. This team needs to rebuild the trenches (only McCoy is safe IMO) & a few other key spots (TE,SLB, backups across the board), along with another QB or two because Orlovsky is not the best backup, which all can be managed with the right GM/HC in place. The rest of the team is talented, but some guys should not/will not be back with the team. Hey, I liked Raheem Morris, so it’s easy to be fooled by likable guys. At times, I couldn’t stand Schiano but still found him to be likable somehow, too. But being likable or not means nothing if you don’t win in the NFL. The Glazers have taken chances, but I’m looking forward to the new hires & where this organization goes from there.
December 30th, 2013 at 4:47 pm
@Joe, so Greg Olsen Jr. (Sully) and Mr. Sarcastic (Sheridan) are safe? Only Schiano and Dom fired?
December 30th, 2013 at 5:18 pm
RB Doug Martin
TE Tim Wright
DT Gerald McCoy
LB Lavonte David
LB Mason Foster
CB Revis (too committed to him)
SS Mark Barron
These players seem safe
The rest are gone including penalty pursued Goldson
Please Draft O-Line men!!
December 30th, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Schiano left the Bucs in a better situation than when he arrived. Good luck coach, please don’t become Hoodie II at your next NFL destination and really make us look even more like the Cleveland Browns of the South then we already do.
December 30th, 2013 at 8:06 pm
Waking up to see this has started off my evening on an awesome natural high….now to celebrate with a few cold ones!!!
….oh, and go after Mike Zimmer or Jay Gruden…thanks Glazers 🙂
December 30th, 2013 at 11:16 pm
I never disliked Schiano the person and agree with many of the comments about him leaving the Bucs in a better place than before he arrived. Getting fired is the worst and wish him and his family the best.
As a Buc fan, change was needed. The team was clearly not headed in the right direction. The Glazers have splashed some cash in free agency and building through the draft is always a good plan. Now, get a coach and GM that can better execute that strategy.